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Newsbytes - Internationa…ews 1983 May to 1994 June
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Newsbytes - International Computing Industry News 1994 Edition - May 1983 - June 1994 - Wayzata Technologies (5045) (1994).iso
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1984
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1991-10-04
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[***][3/6/84][***]
VICTOR SELLS OUT:
Bankrupt Victor Technologies, once heralded as maker of one of the
finest American-made computers, is selling all its assets to Applied
Computer Techniques of Birmingham, England. ACT spokesmen say their
company will take over the production of Victor computers, possibly
continuing their manufacture in the U.S., and will take over the
marketing of Victor computers overseas. Until ACT executives go through
Victor's books, they are not quoting a price they'll pay for Victor.
ACT is beginning to market its own "Apricot" computer but contends the
Victor is still in demand in "embarrassingly" large quantities in
Europe.
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CONTACT: VICTOR TECHNOLOGIES
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
408-438-7000
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APPLIED COMPUTER TECHNIQUES
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
408-727-8090
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[***][3/6/84][***]
SCULLY ON PIRACY:
Speaking before the California Council for International Trade, Apple
President John Scully lashed out at the U.S. Customs Dept., Congress
and the nation's legal system. Scully contends piracy is seriously
hurting both computer makers and software manufacturers. Even with
the International Trade Commission's ban last week on the importation
of "fakes" into the U.S., Scully says there's a need for tougher laws.
Smuggling a pirated video game into this country is a felony, he said,
but smuggling a pirated personal computer here is only a misdemeanor.
The problem is worse overseas, he said. One out of every 10 computers
with Apple logo sold in the Far East are genuine Apples.
In other Apple-news, Scully told the group his company will open
a second automated production facility somewhere in the U.S. this year,
much like the one recently opened to produce MacIntosh computers in
Fremont, Ca. He also predicted only Apple and IBM will survive the
"computer wars" that are resulting in an industry shakeout.
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[***][3/6/84][***]
SPEAKING OF THE FAR EAST:
It's both the bane and the boom for American computer companies. On
the boom side, there's Tandon Corp., which is moving most of its
manufacturing operations to Singapore and India. Tandon is laying-off
1,000 workers in the process, and expects the move to cut labor costs
in a heavily competetive marketplace.
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CONTACT: SIRJANG LAL TANDON, PRESIDENT
TANDON CORPORATION
CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA
213-993-6644
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[***][3/6/84][***]
ANOTHER FAR EAST COUP:
Japanese companies may have the automation to produce lower-cost computers
and parts, but they don't have the marketing skills to sell them in the
lucrative U.S. market. Enter: Kaypro. Kaypro is going to put its name
on Mitsui Company machines, among others, and will market them in the U.S.
Evelyn Richards of the S.J. Mercury News says the Mitsui-Kaypros will be
lap-sized IBM compatible machines. Kaypro hints there are other Japanese
companies waiting to receive Kaypro's name.
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CONTACT: SANDRA KUTIK
KAYPRO
SOLANO BEACH, CA.
619-259-4430
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[***][3/6/84][***]
KAYPRO TO THE RESCUE:
Seagate Technologies, which suffered the loss of part of a huge IBM
contract for hard drives two months ago, has received a needed shot-in
the-arm from Kaypro. The computer-maker signed a $25.5 million contract
with the company for an undisclosed number of Winchester disk drives.
Seagate says the half-height drives, to be manufactured over the next 18
months, will cut power consumption of Kaypro's "10" portable computers, some
of which were shipped seven months ago. This new contract effectively
kills all rumors that Seagate, the world's largest supplier of 5 1/4"
drives, was considering lay-offs in light of the IBM contract cut.
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CONTACT: SEAGATE CORPORATION
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
408-438-6550
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[***][3/6/84][***]
DRIVING A HARD BARGAIN:
While Seagate is again "in the money", other hard-drive manufacturers
are indeed suffering "hard times". Two companies, Evotek of Fremont, Ca.,
and Disctron Inc., of Milpitas, Ca., have phased out their 5 1/4" hard
drive line and analysts are predicting more will follow. Michael Murphy
of California Technology Stock Letter offers, "Manufacturers are being
squeezed on price from the top by the Japanese and from the bottom by
higher-capacity floppies."
----
CONTACT: MICHAEL MURPHY
CALIFORNIA TECHNOLOGY STOCK LETTER
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
415-982-0125
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[***][3/6/84][***]
LAWSUIT OF THE WEEK:
This award goes to a shareholder of Verbatim Corporation, which makes
floppy disks. Samuel Klessel of New Jersey says company officers made
misleading forecasts to inflate stock prices, then sold off their shares
at a healthy profit. Klessel seeks unspecified damages and court cost
reimbursements. In the last 9 months, Verbatim stock has dipped to $10
a share from a high of $29. Meanwhile Verbatim, which has financial
headaches stemming from a big contract loss in January, says the suit
is "without merit."
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CONTACT: SAMUEL KLESSEN/rep. MILBERG, WEISS, BERSHAD (Law Firm)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
619-231-1058
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J. REID ANDERSON, CHAIRMAN
VERBATIM CORPORATION
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA
408-245-4400
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[***][3/6/84][***]
WHO'S GOT THE CHIPS?
Nobody at Intel, Commodore or IBM is talking, but insiders say Intel gave
away rights to manafacture its 8088 chip, the "brain" of IBM and IBM-
compatible computers, to Commodore AND IBM this week. If this is true,
this double-deal brings to six the number of computer and computer-parts
manufacturers who have been licensed to make the chip. In Commodore's
case, this development leads to speculation the company is working on
an IBM-compatible machine. Intel, meanwhile, is making the chips as
fast as it can, but contends many customers have been waiting up to a year
to get what they need. IBM's rumored deal to produce the 8088 comes
at a time when the company has just purchased 1.5 million more shares of
Intel, bringing its total holdings to 18.8% of the company's shares.
----
CONTACT: INTEL
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
408-987-8080
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[***][3/6/84][***]
BOOST FOR ELECTRONIC UNIVERSITY:
The founder of TeleLearning Systems says 40 universities and colleges
will participate in his "Electronic University" pilot project as early
as this Fall. TeleLearning has worked with accredited professors to
develop a catalogue of college courses via computer and modem links.
Tuition ranges from $35 to $100. The program has won the support of the
Assistant Sec. of Education, Donald Senese, who calls "Electronic
University" a "unique and innovative challenge." Kits for the program
are available at 600 computer outlets nationwide. Among participating
schools are: DeAnza College, San Diego State University, University
of Wisconsin, Central New England College, University of Nebraska,
Ohio University, Edison State College, New York Institute of Technology.
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CONTACT: RON GORDON, PRESIDENT
TELELEARNING SYSTEMS INC.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA.
415-928-2800
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[***][3/6/84][***]
COMPUTER COMMERCIALS:
Among the big winners of 1983 were marketing, advertising and PR firms.
The Television Bureau of Advertising released figures showing that
Texas Instruments spent the most on commercials--$34.2 million, which
was an increase of 286% over 1982. Altogether, computer companies
spent more than $185 million on television commercials--that was
138% higher than 1982. IBM was the runner-up in expenditures with
$34.1 million going to the ad agencies. Third in line was Commodore,
which spent $27.4 million.
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CONTACT: TELEVISION BUREAU OF ADVERTISING
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
212-661-8440
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[***][3/6/84][***]
MAKING $$$ FROM CONFUSION:
Everyone who's owned a computer knows it's a pain and a half to try to
get answers to problems from manufacturers via the phone. That's where
a new company hopes to make some cash. Intersol will provide you with
technical assistance for any question relating to your IBM PC or Apple
computer as well as more than 30 popular software programs. Their
TechniCall Support Telephone will begin operation this month between
the hours of 8:30 AM to 10 PM, M-F and Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM.
The hitch is the charge; it'll cost you $300/year for unlimited support
or $50 as a one-time enrollment fee with each support call available
for $10. Software and computer dealers will provide customers with
information on Intersol this month.
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CONTACT: JOHN COMANDO, PRESIDENT
INTERSOL
BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS
617-848-7222
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[***][3/6/84][***]
--IN BRIEF--
COLECO INDUSTRIES say profits are down in a big way. The company lost
$35 million in the fourth quarter. Company spokesman say the "enormity
of the loss" on the Adam computer surprised even Coleco's top officials.--
TRILOGY LIMITED is saying its new mainframe, which is supposed to be faster
than any produced by its rivals, will be delayed another 6 months to
mid-1986. Problems have developed with new 2.5-inch semiconductor chips
that will be the brains of the new machine. MCGRAW-HILL introduces several
new computer mags, "Computer/Systems Equipment Design" is among them; MCGRAW-
HILL also makes "Electronics" a weekly, changing the name to "Electronics
Week".--VISA tests new "smart" cards in France this week. The new VISA
card contains a computer chip loaded with info about account balances,
credit lines and related money matters.--STARSTRUCK, the Redwood City, Ca.-
based company which hopes to cash in on the demand for rocket-launching,
tries another test next month. A February launch of a rocket was
unsuccessful when the nosecone fell into the drink off Southern California.
STARSTRUCK's backers include Steve Wozniak of Apple.
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[***][3/6/84][***]
BORN-AGAIN COMPUTERS:
For all you Christians out there concerned that heathen influences are
dominating the computer arena, a Stockbridge, Georgia woman is answering
your pleas for help. Nancy Kelly White is publishing "Christian Computing",
a bi-monthly aimed at the software and hardware needs of Christians and
churches. She says it will be the place for Christians "to turn for
information."
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CONTACT: NANCY KELLY WHITE, EDITOR
CHRISTIAN COMPUTING
STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA
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